Machar Kot stabbing: Name calling led to alleged murder

The court heard Marco Deng allegedly had “beef” with the victim because he’d seen social media posts and been told by friends the victim was calling him a “snitch”.

Police were called to Market Street in Melbourne's CBD following a stabbing. Picture: David Crosling

A young Melbourne man allegedly murdered a rival outside a CBD hotel as payback for being called a “snitch”, a court has heard.

Machar Kot, 21, was celebrating with friends at Oaks Melbourne when he was stabbed on the steps of the hotel by Marco Deng early on the morning of June 20, 2020.

On the first day of Mr Deng’s expected four week trial at the Supreme Court, senior crown prosecutor, Mark Gibson QC, told the jury the accused wanted to plead guilty to manslaughter but not murder.

The court heard Mr Deng, who was 22 at the time, had “beef” with Mr Kot because he’d seen social media posts and been told by friends Mr Kot was calling him a “snitch”.

Mr Deng and his mates arranged to meet at the hotel where Mr Kot was out with friends under the pretence of buying Xanax.

The court heard Marco Deng wanted to plead guilty to manslaughter but not murder.

Machar Kot, 21, died in an early morning CBD stabbing.

When Mr Deng arrived he ushered Mr Kot around the corner of the hotel and questioned him about the snide remark.

Prosecutors allege Mr Deng thew a punch into Mr Kot’s head who retaliated and knocked Mr Deng to the ground.

The accused killer allegedly armed himself with a knife and chased Mr Kot back to The Oaks and followed him up stairs outside the entrance.

“Mr Kot was effectively cornered, unable to escape the approaching Mr Deng,” Mr Gibson said.

Mr Deng lunged at him with the knife, stabbing him in the torso before Mr Kot fell to the ground and entered cardiac arrest the court heard.

Mr Kot’s friends tried to wrestle the knife out of Mr Deng’s arms before the accused murderer allegedly made a run for it.

He was arrested at a medical centre three days later following a police manhunt.

At the time, Mr Deng told police he had nothing to do with Mr Kot’s death and denied it was him in CCTV that captured the attack.

Justice Mandy Fox is overseeing the trial which is on Wednesday expected to show the jury footage of the stabbing.